It's interesting to note one of Thielen's best friends is Cordarrelle Patterson. I think both players are giving a 100 percent all the time.

What an odd couple! One arrived as an UDFA with virtually zero "reputation capital". The other came via a first round pick that actually entailed four total picks and huge expectations to be the next big thing. But you're right, they both give 100% all the time. I suspect that Thielen's "I'll do anything to help the team" approach was absorbed by Patterson. How fun would it be to have a beer with these two?

That'd be awesome!

I've been a huge fan of Thielen, and I've rooted for CP just as well. CP seems like the kind of guy who does what he's asked, and doesn't complain. They both give everything they've got. What more can you ask for?

Wed Nov 23, 2016 7:54 am

autobon7

All Pro Elite Player

Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 12:20 pmPosts: 1028

Re: Top 10 graded PFF players of the week

Pondering Her Percy wrote:

Did Charles Johnson even play any offensive snaps?? I saw Treadwell a few times. I don't remember seeing Johnson. If so, thats a good thing. Roll with Diggs, Thielen, CP and Treadwell. They are far and away better than Johnson

Johnson has gotten zero snaps the last 2 games

Wed Nov 23, 2016 8:28 am

Nunin

Pro Bowl Elite Player

Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2016 12:40 amPosts: 567

Re: Top 10 graded PFF players of the week

UKno1VIKING wrote:

Rhodes Closed wrote:

I like what they're doing with Patterson. I never was too high on the guy last year, but I see I'm wrong in thinking he wouldn't get any better. He's definitely become my ideal "Utility" guy, and is such a multi-layered player (He has, what, three roles on the team?).

You can also throw me onto the Thielen train. Dude's improved by leaps and bounds and you could definitely tell he had the "it" factor late last year. He, Diggs, and CP are a ridiculously underrated WR corps.

agreed. you could say that with the talent we have at the skill positions, it points even more towards our lines inability to block in recent weeks. And the coaches for not managing the scenario correctly. The receivers we currently have as a group, are the best i've seen at club for a long long time.

absolutely!get em on the field and spread out these defenses~

Wed Nov 23, 2016 8:37 am

S197

Fenrir

Joined: Fri Dec 22, 2006 1:28 pmPosts: 11055Location: Hawaii

Re: Top 10 graded PFF players of the week

Barr's main strength is the amount of ground he can cover. There's very few linebackers that can start in the A-gap and have the athleticism to drop out and cover a RB in the flat. His tackling needs some work but he makes those disguised blitzes easier since he can cover so much ground.

Wed Nov 23, 2016 1:48 pm

J. Kapp 11

Hall of Famer

Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:57 pmPosts: 6889

Re: Top 10 graded PFF players of the week

Since we're on the subject of grades, check out this incredibly interesting article featuring analysis by ESPN's Matt Bowen of the play that led to Xavier Rhodes' pick-six. He grades the Vikings execution as "almost perfect."

For those of you who haven't yet become fans of Andrew Sendejo, check this out.

Matt Bowen of ESPN wrote:

"The first thing here is the safety play -- look at Sendejo, look at his technique," Bowen said. "That's perfect. He stays square, gets into his pedal, and he opens his hips to [Larry] Fitzgerald. He's anticipating the dig route, or the square-in. That's exactly what you want, because now he's in a position where if they throw that ball, that's a pick, too."

And of course, there's Harrison Smith.

Matt Bowen of ESPN wrote:

"For young safeties to study, if you watch Harrison Smith, he's going before the ball is even out," Bowen said. "Go find work. I always say that to my high school DBs -- go find work. If you stay square, if you're Harrison Smith, and you're reading the quarterback, you're doing your job. That's what the chalkboard says to do. But the next step to become a productive football player at any level is, 'Look -- the quarterback's eyes are to the open side of the formation. I'm going.' Who knows what happens? He's trying to find an area where he can make a play. And that's important.

"To me, young safeties don't do that. They do their job, 'Alignment and assignment, I'm good.' The next step is, 'How do I start making plays.' Watch Harrison Smith. That's one of the ways you do it. You start anticipating and saying, 'Hey -- this is where the football is going. I'm going to be aggressive, I'm going to help my teammates and hopefully, I'm going to go make a play.' That's making the scheme more aggressive. It's not anymore just a chalkboard defense."

I love in-depth articles like this. An entire article analyzing ONE PLAY. So cool.

Our defense has the ability to do great things. We've seen that. Somehow, the offense needs to find a way to consistently do enough to get us over the top.

_________________Go ahead. I dare you.Underestimate this man.

Wed Nov 23, 2016 5:38 pm

S197

Fenrir

Joined: Fri Dec 22, 2006 1:28 pmPosts: 11055Location: Hawaii

Re: Top 10 graded PFF players of the week

I think it was a good no call too, captain has every right to that space as Brown who runs directly into him. Brown makes no effort to release, he just drives captain back not even looking for the ball.